Look Up Another Term

Definition: Win Shortcuts

Windows allows you to create pointers, or shortcuts, to your program and data files. The shortcut icons can be placed on the desktop or stored in other folders. Double clicking a shortcut is the same as double clicking the original file. However, deleting a shortcut does not remove the original. Shortcut icons have a small arrow in their lower left corner pointing northeast and are stored on disk with a .lnk file extension. To add shortcuts to the Start menu, see Win Start menu.

CREATE A SHORTCUT TO A PROGRAM FILE
Drag the icon of a program file and drop it onto the desktop or into another folder.

CREATE A SHORTCUT TO A DATA FILE (RIGHT DRAG)
Right click and drag the icon of a file and drop it onto the desktop or into another folder. Select Create Shortcut.

CREATE A SHORTCUT TO A FOLDER (RIGHT DRAG)
Right click and drag the icon of a folder and drop it onto the desktop or into another folder. Select Create Shortcut.

CREATE A SHORTCUT ON THE START MENU
Drag the icon of a program, data file or folder and drop it on the Start menu. For more details, see Win Start menu.

Shortcuts

Shortcut icons have a northeast-pointing arrow at their bottom left side. Note the difference between the icons on the actual items (left) and the shortcuts that point to them. Deleting the shortcut does not delete the original item.